Surgical technology program receives national recognition

West Virginia University at Parkersburg has received the annual merit award from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) for achieving at least a 90 percent pass rate on the certified surgical technologist (CST) examination for the cycle of August 2013 through July 2014. This data represents WVU Parkersburg’s first graduating class from its new two-year surgical technology program.

“We are very pleased with the success of our first graduates of the Associate Degree Program,” said Rose Beebe, interim vice president for academic affairs. “The move from a certificate program to an associate degree program has been a positive move and will expand the job opportunities for our graduates.”

Graduates obtaining national certification as a CST demonstrate understanding of the basic competencies for safe patient care on the operating room. The CST is widely recognized in the health care community as the foremost credential for surgical technologists in the nation. The CST is required for employment within many local, state and national health care organizations.

According to NBSTSA CEO Ron Kruzel, the organization has a 40-year history in CST examination development. It is the only fully accredited exam by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies for surgical technologists in the nation.